3. Current organization and architecture examples

3.1 Notion of backbone network

A backbone network can be defined as a common resource for satisfying the multiple data exchange needs of multiple users (computer applications or individuals). More concretely, by using multiplexing and virtual network techniques, data of all kinds can be transmitted over common physical media.

These data can be described in terms of the applications that use them (telephony, video surveillance, messaging, etc.) or, better still, in terms of their intrinsic characteristics and hence their performance requirements vis-à-vis the backbone network.